Shelley Murray Info 284-11
Assignment 2: Curatorial Project
Exhibition Title: Out of the Dark: A collection of early gravestones and markers from Salem Massachusetts,
early 1600s to late 1700s.
Exhibition Concept: Gravestones and markers have long been used to give
significance to burial sites. We use them to mark a space but the gravestone is
most often crafted with purpose and thought. They are used as a way to show
adoration, and remembrance and to let others know that the individual lost is
still loved. Visitors will enter this exhibition believing that graveyards are
spooky and leave knowing that they are filled with meaning, compassion, and
beautiful artwork. Perhaps they will learn the meaning behind certain markers
and now appreciate their detail and craftsmanship.
Exhibition Layout and Design: The exhibit space is rectangular with a front
entrance. The title will be above the entrance. On the front wall to the side
of the entrance will be the introductory text and pamphlets about exhibit
content. All fonts will be in Georgia font and as typed below.
Inside, the
wall will be painted a dark green 3 feet up with the remaining wall staying
white. The curved wall and pillars will be displaying replica grave markers/gravestone
carvings. The circular pedestal will be the postcard. All photos will be hung
starting from the entrance, moving left to right. Tombstone cards will be
placed to the side of each photograph. Lighting will be comfortable and not too
bright with placement focused on each exhibit item.
Introductory Text: NEXT TO A VINYL GRAPHIC OF A
GRAVESTONE FOR PICTURES AT THE FRONT OF THE EXHIBIT SPACE
“Shrouded in
darkness, gravesites are filled with meaning, compassion, and beautiful
artwork.”
S. Murray, 2023
Deep in the heart of Salem Massachusetts lies one of
the oldest colonial Graveyards, known as Burying Point Cemetery. First
established in 1637, this site has had a few names over the years, including
Charter Street Cemetery, Old Point Cemetery, and Salem Burying Point. Burying Point Cemetery holds many
intricate grave markers belonging to beloved family members and distinguished
Salem notables with ties to the Mayflower. The stories and history of those who
once walked Salem's streets lie within the slate markers and their intricate
carvings.
These slate gravestone markers have long been used to
give significance to burial sites. They are used to mark a space, yet the
gravestone is often crafted with purpose and thought. Carvings show adoration,
and remembrance and let others know that the individual lost is still loved.
With so much time and energy being put into gravestones and markers, the topic
should be more popular. Rather in most cases, they are rarely spoken of at all.
Gravesites are considered morbid and spooky. They are shrouded in darkness,
sometimes even physically as well as spiritually. This exhibition shines a
light on the world of the graveyard and showcases early gravestones and markers
from Salem Massachusetts from the early 1600s to late 1700s.
City of Salem
Land Acknowledgement
This land is Naumkeag, or fishing place, where generations of Indigenous peoples lived and passed through for centuries. From the village upon the Naumkeag River (now known as the North River) to Sachem Nanepashemet’s fortification (now known as Castle Hill), the people of Naumkeag farmed, fished, traded, raised families, discovered and invented, created art, and, above all else, honored the lands upon which you stand today. We acknowledge that this is Indigenous land and acknowledge the Massachusetts Tribe, who continue to honor and hold this land into the present.
Exhibition
Checklist:
POSTCARD:
DISPLAYED IN STAND-ALONE CASE WITH BOTH SIDES VISIBLE FOR VIEWING, ON CIRCULAR
PEDESTAL
Salem
Massachusetts Cemetery Scene
Charter Street Burying Ground, 1907
Paper, Post Card
Farber Gravestone Collection
This postcard shows the Cemetery gravestones of the
Lindall family, which is known as the oldest colonial graveyard in Salem,
Massachusetts.
NEXT TO LINDALL GRAVESTONES:
Carvings of
skeletons represent the personification of death, while an hourglass, and
Father Time holding a scythe signify times passage and mortality.
Burying
Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Lindall, Rachell; Lindall, Veren; Lindall, Son, 1712-1714
17” Slate, Carver John Holliman
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying
Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Lindall, Timothy; 1698/9
20” Slate, Multiple Carvers 1680-1699
Farber Gravestone Collection
NEXT TO GRAVESTONE PICTURES OF THOMAS AND HOLLIMAN
CHILDREN
Within the Burying Point Cemetery lie three
unassuming gravestones, weather-worn and hard to read. These are the grave
markers of Thoman Holliman, Susannah Holliman, and Susanna Holliman. What makes
these slate carvings fascinating is that they were completed by their father
John Holliman. Here we can see the time and thought taken to carve each
gravestone and witness the 'small-town' nature that was Salem in the 1700s.
John Holliman (1704-c.1750) was a Salem resident who worked on many of the Burying Point Cemetery gravestones during his lifetime.
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Holliman, Thomas; 1725
15” Slate, Carver John Holliman
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
The Holliman Children; 1729; 1731
Slate, Carver John Holliman
Farber Gravestone Collection
This gravestone is about 16” and is a dual gravestone
located close to Thomas Holliman’s grave, both Susanna and Susannah died at the
age of 2.
NEXT TO RUTH HUNT AND GLOVER GRAVESTONES
The half sun or setting and rising sun signify both the beginning and end of life. The sun may also be translated as a symbol of heaven and the journey to heaven.
Burying
Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Hunt, Ruth; 1792
Slate, Possible Carver Gabriel Allen
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Glover, Mary; Glover, Mary; Glover, Susannah, 1784; 1786; 1786
Slate, Carver Levi Maxcy
Farber Gravestone Collection
CENTERED GRAPHIC ON WALL BEFORE NEXT TOMBSTONES
Why winged skulls? The Burying Point Cemetery holds an overwhelming number of winged skulls carved into its headstones. While these carvings were a common practice for Puritan graves, their meaning runs much deeper. The attitude towards mortality in the 17th century was very matter of fact, as death was ever-present. The death’s head or winged skull symbolized a comfortableness with death and the flight of the soul from mortal man.
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Marston Sr., John; 1681
Slate, Multiple Carvers, 1680-1699
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Cromwell, John; 1700
Slate, 1700-1719 (Multiple Carvers)
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Cromwell, Doraty; 1673
Slate, 1679 and Before (Multiple Carvers), Probably the work of The Old Stone Cutter
Farber Gravestone Collection
This gravestone is the earliest surviving death date
at Burying Point Cemetery.
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Barnard, Rachel; 1743
Slate, 1740-1759 (Multiple Carvers)
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Sanders, John; Sanders, Hannah; 1694; 1706/7
Slate, 1680-1699 (Multiple Carvers); 1700-1719 (Multiple Carvers)
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Hill, Bethia; 1689
Slate, Multiple Carvers, 1680-1699
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Gardner, Sarah; 1791
Slate, Carver Lamson, after 1789 (Joseph, Caleb, David)
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Gardner, Jonathan; 1795
Slate, Carver Levi Maxcy
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Felt, Benjamin; 1769
Slate, Carver James Ford
Farber Gravestone Collection
This gravestone is 25” and includes a carving of a
large winged face and a distinguishing crack in the stone.
NEXT TO PEELE AND VERY GRAVESTONES
Carvings of angels or winged faces are often seen on gravestones, but depictions of the deceased are rare. Here we can see carvings of a young boy presumed to be Josiah Peele and a young girl, presumed to be Abigail Very. This personalization gives greater meaning to their grave markers and invites visitors to understand their youth and importance.
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Peele, Josiah B.; 1784
Slate, Levi Maxcy
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Very, Abigail; 1792
29” Slate, Levi Maxcy
Farber Gravestone Collection
NEXT TO
PURCHAS AND BARTON GRAVESTONES
Hearts may mean more than just love or a love of God, they can also signify mortality, courage, and intelligence. Here the deceased information is encapsulated by the heart showing that they are the keepers of that love and courage. The filigreed wind surrounding the hearts signifies an evoking of the spirit.
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Purchas, John; 1712
Slate, Skulls/Skeletons, 1700-1719 (Multiple Carvers); Faces with Wings, 1700-1719 (Multiple Carvers)
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Barton, Lydia; 1713
Slate, 1700-1719 (Multiple Carvers); Perhaps the work of "WC," or James Gilchrist
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Cromwell, Phillip; 1693
Slate, Carver Unidentified
Farber Gravestone Collection
NEXT TO SHATTOCK GRAVESTONE PHOTOS:
Let’s get witchy!
The Shattock’s played an important role in the Salem Witch Trials with Samuel Shattock Jr’s father, Samuel Shattock, being one of the individuals that gave testimony against Bridget Bishop. Samuel Shattock was a dyer and shopkeeper who believed Bishop was creating a witch’s doll when she brought him small pieces of lace to dye. Not soon after, Samuel Shattock Jr. became ill and suffered physical and mental agonies, because of this Shattock and his wife blamed these ailments on visits from Bridget Bishop that began when the boy was four. Shattock testified to this effect at Bishop’s trial, and ultimately Bridget Bishop was the first to be executed as a witch in 1692.
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Shattock (Jr), Samuel; 1695
Slate, 1680-1699 (Multiple Carvers)
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
(Shattock) Smith, Patience; 1690
Slate, 1680-1699 (Multiple Carvers)
Farber Gravestone Collection
Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Massachusetts
Mather, Nathanael; 1688
Slate, 1680-1699 (Multiple Carvers); Compare to the work of Joseph
Lamson, William Mumford.
Farber Gravestone Collection
Nathanael Mather
is a son of Reverend Increase Mather and the brother of famous witch accuser
Cotton Mather.
Hollingworth, William; Hollingworth, Elianor, 1688 and 1689
Slate, Unknown Carver
Farber Gravestone Collection
Elianor was the mother of Mary English, the wife of
one of Salem’s richest merchants, Philip English. Philip and Mary were both
accused of witchcraft, investigated, and jailed in Boston to await trial. Due
to their wealth, they were able to escape to New York.
Elianor herself was an independent woman who ran Blue Anchor Tavern in Salem, after her husband’s passing. Historian Frances Hill believes Elianor may be the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter.
Narrative:
For my exhibit, I
chose a topic that I am interested in and that I felt would be captivating and
endearing to the public. I also wanted to pick something that might challenge visitor’s
viewpoints. The Farber Gravestone Collection was a perfect choice as they hold
some great photographs from all over the East Coast. I chose to focus on
Burying Point Cemetery in Salem Massachusetts because it is fitting for spooky
season and because it contains some elaborate and special gravestones. Among
these graves is Samael Shattock Jr. who was a big part of setting off the Salem
Witch Trials. Along with the important figures buried here, the stone carvings
themselves hold important meaning and symbology. A simple stone may have an
hourglass shape carved into it. While that might seem kind of cheeky, it means
the passing of time and the shortness of life. Other graves have cherub-like heads
with wings that usually indicate the loss of a young child or infant. With
these small carvings so much meaning is conveyed, and viewers of the graves can
get a glimpse of living with mortality every day.
Gravestones and grave markers can be a touchy
subject. They could even make people feel sad. So, I wanted to open their eyes
to the beauty they can find in a graveyard. Visitors first look at the exhibit
will be large welcoming text and graphics. Meant to convey a relaxed and fun or
open-minded feeling. The large gravestone graphic works as an icebreaker to
lighten the atmosphere. The exhibit space will be set up in a way that focuses
on the photographs and invites visitors to take a closer look. Photographs will
be poster size, mounted on the wall and some will have large texts next to
them. My goal is for the exhibit to be lit in a way that is not spooky, but not
clinical. Just a comfortable area for visitors to walk around. For some of the
photographs, I have added text that explains a bit more about what might be on
the stones. Some of them are hard to see and may need more explanation. The main cost of the exhibit will be the
paint, graphics, printing of photographs and replicas of gravestones. We will also
have pamphlets available to take and a small table with worksheets for
coloring.
I had a wonderful
experience putting together this exhibition and really wish it was real. I
would love to see something like this at a museum or library.
Farber Gravestone
Collection. 2023. http://farber.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/view/all/where/Massachusetts/Salem?showAll=who&sort=name%2Cdates%2Ccity%2Cstateorprovince&os=0
